What does carat mean in diamonds​?

When shopping for a diamond, you’ll often hear the term carat weight, but what does carat mean in diamonds exactly? In its simplest form, a carat is the unit of weight used to measure gemstones. One metric carat equals 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams, and each carat is further divided into 100 “points”, so a 0.75-carat diamond can also be called a 75-point stone, or a 0.50-carat diamond can be called a 50 point stone or half of a carat.

What does carat mean in diamonds?

A 'carat' is a unit of measurement used in the diamond industry to specify the weight of a diamond. A carat is equal to 200 milligrams, so a 5-carat stone weighs 1 gram.

The Origin of the Carat

The word carat comes from the carob seed, historically used as a reference weight because of its consistent size. In the 1900s, the modern metric carat was standardised at 200 milligrams to ensure uniformity across the jewellery industry, so wherever you are, a one-carat diamond weighs the same.

How did the modern Diamond Carat System start?

The modern carat system began with the carob seed - a seed from a tree that grows in the Mediterranean and has fruit pods that contain multiple seeds. Those very early gem traders used small uniform seeds as counterweights to balance their scales. The modern diamond carat system was adopted by the United States in 1913, and other countries soon followed. Today, a diamond carat weighs exactly the same in every corner of the world.

Carat vs. Size: Why They’re Not Identical

It’s easy to assume carat directly equates to diamond size, but remember that carat measures weight, not dimensions. Two diamonds of equal carat weight can appear different in size depending on their cut proportions, shape and depth. A well-cut one-carat round brilliant may look larger face-up than a deeper one-carat emerald cut, which holds more weight below the girdle.

Does diamond carat weight mean the same as size?

No - people often assume a diamond's size is synonymous with its carat weight, but this isn’t always the case. Other factors can affect the size of a diamond.

Visually, different diamond shapes can make diamonds of the same carat size appear larger or smaller. For example, a marquise diamond will always appear larger than a round diamond, simply because it has a larger surface area with less depth.

Similarly, the cut of a diamond can also impact the size of a diamond. Diamonds that have been graded a Poor cut can have more carat weight dispersed in the depth rather than the surface area or they can feature a very thick girdle. These diamonds will weigh more but still appear smaller from the top view than other similar stones around the same carat weight because more of the carat weight is based within the depth of the diamond. In turn, there is less surface area on top, so not only does your diamond appear smaller, but it will also sparkle less due to the loss of light returning to the surface of the diamond.

 

 

 

What are the magic sizes in diamonds?

What are magic sizes? Some weights like half carats, three-quarter carats and carats are known as ‘magic sizes’. There is little difference visually between a 0.95 carat diamond and one that weighs a full carat. However, the price difference between the two can be quite significant if you and your partner want the 1.00ct total, which is why they’re considered very desirable and known as one of the magic sizes.

What do different carat sizes look like?

As carats aren’t always synonymous with the size of a diamond, it can be hard to visualise the different carat sizes. So, we’ve provided an approximate diamond carat weight chart based on a round cut diamond to show the different rough diameters you can estimate that carat weight to be.

 

Do you want a closer look at our different diamond carat weights in person? In our showrooms you can try before you buy and compare different carat weights options on your hand to find the perfect size for you. Book an appointment via our homepage or visit us in-store.

What is the price of a 1 carat diamond?

We estimate that a 1 carat diamond can cost anything between £2,000 and £25,000. However, the cost of a 1 carat diamond can vary drastically depending on the quality of the other 4Cs. Equally, lab grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds despite sharing the same chemical and physical properties which allows for such variation in price as no two diamonds are the same.

 

How do I choose a diamond carat?

Looking for a diamond engagement ring but don’t know which carat to choose? Our diamond carat guide will help you choose the perfect diamond carat weight for you. 

1. Choose carat weight to suit the wearer's finger. When buying a diamond ring, you should choose a diamond carat weight that suits the wearer's hand. For example, a larger carat may look very prominent against petite and slender fingers, which isn’t always practical and to everyone’s taste. A smaller hand may suit a 0.50 ct to 0.75 ct diamond compared with the height and size of a 1ct, while those wanting a larger statement ring to balance out a wider finger might want to opt for 1ct to 2ct or more. 

 

1. Consider size vs budget. A larger carat doesn’t necessarily make for a larger diamond, so don’t blow your entire budget on a specific carat weight. Instead, distribute it evenly across all characteristics. After all, a large diamond with lower clarity, cut and colour grades won’t have the same light return or sparkle as a slightly smaller carat weight with a balance of quantity and quality.

 

1. Explore all carat sizes. At Shining Diamonds, customers can choose from a variety of diamond carat weights ranging from 0.25ct to 3.00ct. This is the most popular carat weight range, but if needed, we can also source carat weights larger than 3.00ct.

Choosing the Right Carat for You

Now you understand what carat weight means, you can start browsing with a rough idea in mind and find the perfect balance of quality and quantity for you. Always remember, cut, colour, and clarity will contribute to a diamond’s overall beauty, you never want to forget about these categories. If you need further assistance choosing your perfect diamond, contact our team at Shining Diamonds or visit us at one of our jewellery stores. We also offer interest free finance options both in-store and online. So don’t hesitate - find your dream diamond today!